Many readers are not open to a new tax on road use or tolls on bridges to pay for transit expansion, saying that TransLink should live within its current means, which includes several taxes on auto use. (Mark van Manen/PNG FILES)

No new taxes for messed-up TransLink

While Metro Vancouver mayors may be enthusiastic about road pricing, I doubt such an initiative is meant to alleviate traffic congestion. Road pricing is nothing more than a desperate and invasive measure to raise money for an ever failing transit system.

If traffic congestion were really a concern, the options of more freeways and commuter rail would be part of the discussion. That being said, many in Langley are enthusiastic about bringing commuter rail back to the Fraser Valley similar to the West Coast Express. There aren’t many obstacles preventing this from happening; rail lines already exist between Vancouver and Hope and beyond; all that is required are trains and stations.

The political obstacles however are plenty. Metro Vancouver’s transit regime is a hierarchy where the transit users at the top rely upon vehicular traffic on the bottom in order to function. This means that certain communities receive little or no transit options so they can pay for other people’s transit whenever they fill up or in the future, for every kilometre they drive.

If the mayors want to provide transit to all its communities, it needs to think beyond its fiscally irresponsible transit authority.

Peter Lenko, Langley

TransLink has enough taxes already!

Nothing gets my blood boiling like reading that TransLink wants to increase taxes again. They behave like they’re autonomous and not part of the larger government picture.

Here’s a novel idea, why don’t governments get their act together and use gas taxes for what they were intended — to support infrastructure — and not just be put into general revenues or whatever else they do to squander it.

It is a user-pay system and it’s already in place. More people moving to the Lower Mainland? Well guess what, more income tax, more property tax and more sales tax, so shouldn’t that equate to more infrastructure?

The question is, was this done because the public learned about the raises from the NDP, because Clark is trying to win a seat in a byelection or because it is a true measure of her commitment to lower costs? We will probably never know.

Politicians move in mysterious ways, usually for their own benefit, unfortunately.

George Pearson, Richmond

Dump Christy!

Come on, West Kelowna, do your duty and can Christy Clark!

Do you really believe that once she is secure in your riding that she will not flip-flop and reinstate those dastardly pay raises to her staff? A leopard shows its spots!

I went to school in Alberta 60 years ago. Reports were issued bimonthly and had two ratings — class standing and percentages. There were also anecdotes.

In Grade 5, the ratings were changed to three letter grads — C, N and R — representing the levels of achievement: Commendable, Normal and Remedial. The stigma of comparing percentages and class standing was gone.

I don’t believe anybody is disputing that “children need our protection.” Of course they do. Does Mr. Secker not realize that people who abuse animals also will abuse children? If you can torture and abuse a defenceless creature, it’s a very small step to torture and abuse a child or another person.

I am not ashamed of feeling empathy for the torture and death of Captain the dog.

Lisa Rice, Surrey

Fees are fair

Anyone living in their own house or apartment pays for their own wheelchairs, canes, walkers as well as a variety of other personal use equipment. Despite what some MLAs have stated, similar rules apply for people living in publicly-subsidized long-term residential care. This has been the case for quite some time.

While the public health system covers the cost of medical care, residents of publicly-subsidized residential care homes who can afford to cover the cost of personal equipment and supplies do so. The introduction of a wheelchair maintenance fee is consistent with the ministry policy on what fees are allowable in residential care homes.

No one will be denied the use of a wheelchair if they cannot afford a maintenance fee.

Our government has made home and community care one of our top priorities, and we are committed to providing high quality, consistent and sustainable care for people needing these services.

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